Votive 'Hill of Crosses' (Kryziu Kalnas) at Siauliai
Votive 'Hill of Crosses' (Kryziu Kalnas) at Siauliai

Votive 'Hill of Crosses' (Kryziu Kalnas) at Siauliai
Votive 'Hill of Crosses' (Kryziu Kalnas) at Siauliai

The 'Hill of Crosses' is a place of national pilgrimage
The 'Hill of Crosses' is a place of national pilgrimage

The hillock is covered by thousands of crosses
The hillock is covered by thousands of crosses

Some of these are devotional whereas others are memorials (many for people deported to Siberia)
Some of these are devotional whereas others are memorials (many for people deported to Siberia)

The hillock was originally a fortification
The hillock was originally a fortification

It is believed that the tradition of placing crosses began in the 14th century
It is believed that the tradition of placing crosses began in the 14th century

During the Soviet era, the crosses were bulldozed at least three times, only to spring up again
During the Soviet era, the crosses were bulldozed at least three times, only to spring up again

Votive 'Hill of Crosses' at Siauliaii
Votive 'Hill of Crosses' at Siauliaii

Kaunas, where we stopped for lunch
Kaunas, where we stopped for lunch

The local fair was on, so we got to see a bit of local colour
The local fair was on, so we got to see a bit of local colour

Choral group performing from a mobile stage
Choral group performing from a mobile stage

Lithuania
Lithuania

Meeting the locals and getting the inside stories from them
Meeting the locals and getting the inside stories from them